Badly Drawn God 1:
Long White Beard
I have a children's Good News bible where the characters are represented by cartoons reminiscent of Lego figures. One characterisation really niggles me - the Holy Spirit is represented by the classical white sheet type ghost – wrong on so many levels.
The images we have of God – Father, Son or Holy Spirit can influence not only how we think of, but also how we relate to God. What image do you have in your mind for what God looks like?
I'd like to look at some of these over this week, quoting heavily from JB Phillip's book "Your God is too Small".
Today, the classic old man with a long white beard sitting on a cloud – courtesy of Michelangelo and the Sistine chapel.
JB Phillips references some questions asked of young people:
'"Do you think God understands radar?"
In nearly every case the reply was "No," followed of course by a laugh, as the conscious mind realized the absurdity of the answer. But, simple as this test was, it was quite enough to show that at the back of their minds these youngsters held an idea of God quite inadequate for modern days'
(JB Phillips 'Your God is too Small' )
Do we hold an image of an old-fashioned God, who struggles with the modern world? Sometimes the language we use, the words of hymns and liturgy can give an impression of God from 'way back when' who is not capable of understanding the modern world.
God is creator and sustainer, he knows not only how radar works, but can take the understanding of radio waves way beyond mankind's current understanding, after all they were his idea.
Ask God to show you where your image of him is too old.
But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being.
Romans 1:20 [MSG]
Guy Mowbray | |
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